Snaffle or double bridle - FEI allows freedom of choice

From now on, riders at international dressage competitions in the CDI3* and CDIO3* categories can decide for themselves whether they want to present their horses with a simple snaffle or a double bridle. This significant change was decided during the FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong on November 7, 2025, as pferderevue.at reports.

Freedom of choice for riders

Until now, it was compulsory to ride with a double bridle in Grand Prix dressage. The new regulation now allows riders to decide for themselves whether they want to ride their horse with a simple snaffle or a double bridle up to the CDI3* and CDIO3* competition categories. The revised rules make it clear that both bit variants will be equally permitted in future.

Background and experts' assessment

The decision to adapt the rules was made after careful consideration. The FEI Dressage Technical Committee and Strategic Action Planning Working Group analyzed the level of experience required for the use of the double bridle. They concluded that the freedom of choice between snaffle and double bridle is a valuable opportunity to gather more data and better evaluate the decision of riders and officials. Although the curb bit is not considered an animal welfare issue in top level sport, this rule change will create more flexibility to accommodate individual training and the different needs of horses.

The change affects not only the Grand Prix, but also the lower categories where a single snaffle or curb bit is now also allowed, including CDI1*, CDI2*, CDIO1*, CDIO2*, CDIJ*, CDIOJ*, CDIY, CDIOY and more.

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